Cathead



June 20, 1950 w. A. DICKSON CATHEAD 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed June 14, 1945 INVENTOR.

ATTORNEY June 20, 1950 w. A. DICKSON CATHEAD 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed June 14, 1945 M/i/bu vne Dickson,

INVENTOR.

Paten ted June 20, 1950 CATHEAD Wilburne Al Dickson, Gretna, La.

Application June 14, 1945, Serial No. 599,393

4 Claims.

My invention relates-to spools or catheads, and more particularly to catheads used in connectionwith oil field draw-works.

The present invention is an improvement over the cathead structure disclosed in United States patent numbered 2,332,700 which was issued to me on October 26,1943. That patent pertained to structure whereby a liquid is introduced into a chamber within thecathead, and acts as a cooling medium for dissipating heat generated through friction of a line or rope wound about the cathead.

It has been found that when water is used as a cooling agent within a steel cathead, oxidation eventually causes a weakening of the cathead, Obviously, the part of the cathead which is most vitally effected when weakened, isthe rope receiving or drum portion of the cathead.

, It is a prime object of the present invention to provide a water cooled cathead structure, in which the rope spool or drum portion is removable for replacement.

Another object is to provide a cathead structure in which-the spool portion is made in the form of a tubular. sleeve, and the sleeve is reversible. end for end so that its most worn superficial portion may be displaced.

.A further object is to provide a water cooled cathead structure inwhich the drum portion may be removed for replacement or for reversal, without dismounting or effecting the water handling mechanism thereof A still further object is to provide a cathead structure of the class described, in which the removable parts may be easily and quickly replaced by any unskilled worker, and without the use of any tools other than a wrench.

Other objects will be apparent from the following description when taken in conjunction with the accompanying two sheets of drawings, wherein:

Figure 1 is'a perspective view of the cathead in operatively installed position;

Figure 2 is an exploded perspective view showing the various parts which combine to form the cathead; V

Figure. 3 is an elevational sectional view showing the parts in their assembled positions;

Figure 4 is a perspective view, partially in vertical section; and,

Figure 5 is an elevational sectional view of the cathead, the parts being shown assembled and their relationship with the entire liquid handling portion being clearly depicted.

Like characters of reference designate like parts in all of the figures wherein they occur.

In the drawings:

The reference numeral l indicates, as a whole, the end portion of a heavy metal body which forms a continuation of a driven shaft 24.

The body I has a cylindrical bore or cavity 2 extending longitudinally from its outer end 3, and spaced from said end, there is provided around the body an outwardly projecting annular flange i. That side of the flange 4 which lies nearest the end 3 is provided with an annular lip 5 which projects toward said end 3. The inside diameter of the lip 5 is larger than the outside surface of the body I, and the lip is spaced from said surface to form an annular cavity 6.

Within the bore or cavity 2, and spaced a desired distance from the end 3 of the body I, the wall 1 of the cavity is provided with a pair of rigidly mounted oppositely disposed, inwardly projecting lugs 8, one of which is clearly detailed in Fig. 4. The lugs 8 are identical in form and eachhas an indentation or socket 9. The indentations 9 in the lugs 8 combine to form a nest for intimately seating a rectangular nut l0 having a central threaded bore ll therethrough. The lugs 8 are spaced a sufficient distance apart to permit entry of the nut I0 therebetween when the nut is turned edgewise.

The device further consists of a tubular sleeve l2 of a proper diameter and wall thickness to permit one of its ends to be closely seated within the above described annular cavity 6, as shown in Fig. 3. I I

As a means for closing the outer end of the sleeve [2, and also for holding the other end of the sleeve seated within the cavity 6, there is provided a heavy metal cap I4 and a bolt l5.

The cap I4 has a central bore I6 which includes an outwardly facing abrupt annular shoulder IT. The cap [4 has an annular cavity similar in form and dimension to the cavity 6 in the body I, and this second cavity is adapted to closely envelope the outer end of the sleeve l2 (Fig. 3) The bolt I5 is adapted to be passed between the lugs 8 in the body I, and to be threadedly engaged at one end with the rectangular nut Ill. The other end of the bolt I5 is adapted to receive a nut I8 within the bore [6 of the cap. Obviously, tightening of the nut l8 against the shoulder I! will draw the cap 14 and sleeve l2 into rigid engagement with the body I.

In operation, the exterior surface of the sleeve and driving a rope or other line. l2 acts as a rope drum or cathead for receiving In order to prevent any turning of the sleeve l2 with relation to the body I, which might possibly occur due to the action of the rope, the following described anchoring media are provided.

The ends of the sleeve I2 are both provided with a desired plurality of annularly spaced transverse grooves IS. The flange 4 of the body I is provided with a plurality of transverse pins which extend into the body across the cavity 6, andthe central portion of each of the pins 20 lies with approximately one-half of its periphery exposed in the inner end portion of the cavity 6, so that one of the grooves I9 may seat over each pin. The pins 20 may be either threaded or Welded in place.

It is obvious that any desired mechanical arrangement could well be provided toprevent independent rotation of the sleeve I2 with relation to the body I.

Since the sleeve I2 is identical on both of its ends, it is reversible should one end become worn.

It is pointed out that the cathead of the present invention is so arranged that the bore 2 of the body and the boreof thesleeve I2 combine to form a closed chamberwhich may well receive a cooling liquidsuch'as water. To this end, the body I is prov-idedwith lateral passages for conveying water to the interior of the body. Spacedannular vanes 26 are provided around the body I.

As 'best. seen inFig. 5, the body I is surrounded by a hollow cylindrical jacket 30 having a plurality of annular vanes 3 I extending inwardly toward the-body I. The vanes 3l are staggered with relation to the vanes '26 of the body.

The ja'cket :30 may be rigidly mounted upon a jack-post or other support so that it does not move with relation to thebody I. An upper inlet pipe -32,-and a lower outlet pipe '33 are carried by the jacket 30 for respectively delivering cooling fluid toand exhausting it from the-bore 2.

Operation of the Water handling portion of the device is thought to-be obvious. The cooling liquid is -exhausted'from the inlet 32 upon the outside surface ofthebody between the'two most centrally located vanes 26. The waterenters the cavity 2 and the inside ofthe'sleeve' IZ through the passages 25. The water may-alsoescape from the jacket through the outlet'pipe 33,'a-nd therefore, -a continuous flow'of the cooling liquid is obtained.

*I-claim:

1: The combination with a driven shaft having a substantially tubular free end-portion,-and with means for introducing aliquid into said portionwhile the shaft is in rotative motion, --of a cathead structure, including: a tubular sleeve about which a-rope-m'ay-be wound, said sleeve having one of its-ends engaged over the end of the shaft for forming a continuation thereof; a cap forclosing-the-free-end of said sleeve ;'and means for holding the'cap-and sleeve in rigid position with relation to the shaft, said means including opposed lugs projectinginwardly from the wall of said tubular portion of the shaft; a rod extending between 'the adjacent ends of said lugs and through said cap; and-a nut-upon each end of the rod.

2. The combination with a driven shaft-having (iii a substantially tubular free end portion, and with means for introducing a liquid into said portion while the shaft is in rotative motion, of a removable cathead structure, including: an annular outwardly projecting flange surrounding said end portion of the shaft and spaced longitudinally from the extreme end of said portion; an annular groove in said flange, saidgroove facing toward said extreme end; a tubularropeawinding sleeve surrounding said end portion and having one end seated within said groove; a cap for closing the other end of said sleeve; and means for holding the cap and sleeve in rigid position with relation to the shaft, said means including opposed lugs projecting inwardly from the wall of said tubular portion of the shaft, a rod extending between the adjacent ends of said lugs and through said cap, and a nut upon each end of the rod.

3. The combination with a driven shaft having asubstantia-lly .tubu'lar free-end portion, and withmeans foriintroducing a: liquid :into said portion while the shaft is in rotative motion, of a removable eathea'd structuraincluding an annular outwardly projecting flange surrounding said end portion of the shaft and spaced longitudinally fromrthe extreme endthereof; an annular groove in'saidfiange, said groove facing toward said extremeend; a :tubular :rope Winding sleeve surroundingsaid end portion and having one end seated :within said groove; spacednotches in the ends of said sleeve; similarly spaced projections on said fiangewithin said groove, whereby the sleeve may :be :reversed send for end upon the shaft; a cap-:for closing the other end of said sleeve; and means for holding the cap and sleeve against longitudinal movement :with relation to said shaft, said :means' including opposed lugs projecting;inwardlyifrom the wall of said-tubular portionof the Shaftiagrod extending between the adjacent. ends of said'lugs and through. said cap; and a nut upon each end ofthe rod.

4.1AS asub -combination in cathead structure, in @which;a.:rope drum forming :sleeve isto "be rigidly connected to a:tubular ended'driven shaft, an anchoring means for the :sleeve, including: opposed spaced apart "lugs :projecting inwardly from the-wall ofsthetubular portion-ofthe'shaft; a cap-over the outer'end'of the sleeve;.a rod extendingbetween the adjacent ends of said lugs and -.through the cap; :and .2, 11111711113011 each end of the rod, one of said nuts beingarectangular for passage between said lugs.

'WHBURNE JA. DICKSON.

,REFERENQES men The following references are :of mecordin th file ;of this patent: Y

UNITED-"STATES IPA'I'ENTS 

